French Education Student Baril Wins CPF Award

September 21, 2012

On September 14 Victor Lundrigan, Vice-President of Canadian Parents for French (CPF) Newfoundland and Labrador, presented Brittany Baril with the CPF Teacher Graduate of the Year Award for the academic year 2010-2011.

This award recognizes Education graduates who, during their academic and internship sessions, developed innovative strategies that illustrate their motivation to teach and demonstrate their passion for language development. Brittany received a one-week PD session in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon for summer 2013 and a plaque for her efforts.

To be eligible for the award the teacher graduate must have completed a Bachelor of Education Program with a French focus or a French teachable area. The student must have applied for or received a Newfoundland and Labrador teaching certificate.

Brittany completed her Bachelor of Arts with a French major, making French her first teachable area. Having francophone heritage, she began her schooling in Ontario in a French first language school and continued in French Immersion when her family moved to Newfoundland and Labrador.

At the post-secondary level, she studied French at Memorial University in St. John's, in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, in Quebec, and in France in an effort to perfect her French language skills.

Brittany was accepted into the Bachelor of Education Intermediate/Secondary program in the academic year 2010-11. She completed her internship at Gonzaga High School in April 2011. During this time she taught Senior High French Immersion and Core French.

Her cooperating teacher, Ms. Tara Madden, claims Brittany proved to be an exceptional teacher. Her strong leadership qualities and her love of teaching were evident from the first day of her internship. Her classes were innovative and carefully planned to respond to the intellectual diversity of the classroom. She also immersed herself in the extra-curricular life of the school.

Said Ms. Madden: "Brittany is the best intern that I have ever had the pleasure of working with."

During her education program she was eager to promote and share her passion for the French language and culture with students in the province. She shares that passion in this video.

Her French Methods instructor, Gennita Bartlett, stated: "Brittany Barril is one of the most outstanding students with whom I have had the pleasure of working. She is a dynamic individual willing to embrace new approaches and ideas in the second language classroom - a welcome addition to our 21st century classroom."

Brittany was offered and accepted her first teaching position before she finished her program. She was offered a one-year replacement position as the French Immersion teacher at Corner Brook Regional High, her own alma mater.

The Faculty of Education proudly congratulates Brittany on her achievements.